DENVER—Frontier Airlines pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), have concluded their strike authorization ballot announced on Sept. 30, 2024. With 97% of pilots participating, 99% of the Frontier pilots voted in favor of authorizing a strike if necessary, signaling their readiness to act should negotiations with Frontier management break down.
“The results of this vote are clear and compelling. Nearly all our pilots are prepared to take action if it comes to that,” said Captain Michael Maynard, chair of the Frontier ALPA Master Executive Council. “This strong show of unity underscores our commitment to achieving a fair contract that meets the needs of our pilots.”
The pilots’ contract became amendable in January 2024, and they have been engaged in mediated talks under the Railway Labor Act (RLA) since January. Unfortunately, negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement have yet to yield a market-based contract that aligns with industry standards and reflects the contributions of Frontier pilots.
“Our ultimate goal remains to reach a fair agreement with the company, not to strike,” Maynard continued. “However, this vote equips our master executive council with a significant lever should we need to exercise it.”
While the strike authorization does not guarantee a work stoppage, it is a vital tool in negotiations. Under the RLA, the National Mediation Board must determine whether further mediation would be unproductive. If so, both parties may be offered the option to arbitrate. Should either side decline, a 30-day “cooling-off” period would ensue, after which a strike or management lockout could occur.
Founded in 1931, ALPA is the largest airline pilot union in the world and represents more than 78,000 pilots at 41 U.S. and Canadian airlines. Visit the ALPA website at alpa.org or follow us on Twitter @ALPAPilots.
